Elizabeth Emblem to recognise fallen officers

11 March 2024

Federation national deputy chair Tiff Lynch and Bryn Hughes were interviewed on BBC News about the Medals for Heroes campaign.

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris has welcomed the launch of a new award to recognise the sacrifice of fallen police officers, firefighters and other public service workers.

The Elizabeth Emblem has been conferred by the King and the families of officers who have lost their lives on duty can apply for the award now.

“This is good news for the police service, the fire service and other public service organisations but most of all it is good news for those families who have lost loved ones in the course of their duties since it will mean that the State is fully recognising their loved ones,” says Darren.

“Our late Queen, Elizabeth II, exemplified public service for 70 years and this seems a fitting legacy to have this emblem named for her and posthumously awarded to police officers, firefighters and other public service workers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.”

The Elizabeth Emblem will feature a rosemary wreath, traditionally symbolising remembrance, surrounding the Tudor Crown. The emblem will also carry the name of the individual it commemorates. It will be able to be worn by next of kin alongside any other medals or awards and will bear the words ‘For A Life Given In Service’.

The next of kin of fallen officers can apply for the emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister. Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a Chief Constable, chief fire officer or a Lord Lieutenant. 

The Medals for Heroes campaign was launched two years ago by the Police Federation of England and Wales alongside Bryn Hughes, the father of Greater Manchester PC Nicola Hughes who was ambushed and killed along with her colleague PC Fiona Bone in 2012.

The Federation National Board member and Medals for Heroes lead John Partington said: “We’ve waited for this announcement for a number of years. We launched the Medals for Heroes campaign two years ago and this itself was built upon campaigning that we worked on two years before that so I’m delighted by the news the work we have done has helped towards the emblem’s introduction.”

He added: “I’d especially like to thank all of those who have contributed to our call for formal State recognition. Many colleagues have worked with us on this and I’d like to especially thank the other board members and branch chairs who have added their local backing on behalf of the membership.”

Bryn commented: “Nicola and Fiona went to work that day wearing the Crown and they lost their lives while responding to what they thought was a call for help from a member of the public. 

“To receive this news that their sacrifice is to be formally recognised by the Crown and State is overwhelming. I meet with many other families of fallen officers and I’m sure many of those, too, will be thankful for this formal recognition.”

Chris Philp, the policing minister, has also welcomed the new award: “We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe. The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

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